Resources
DoneRelevant resources to enhance your Black History Month experience and education, thoughtfully curated by Aritzia’s People Resource Group, The Melanin Project.
Music
BHM 2024 Playlist.
Click to
Listen
Podcasts
- 01 Adulting
- 02 Code Switch
- 03 The Receipts Podcast
- 04 The Read
Literature
- 01 Open Water by Caleb Azumah Nelson
- 02 Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
- 03 Finding Me by Viola Davis
- 04 Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
TV
- 01 Abbott Elementary
- 02 Black Cake
- 03 Harlem
- 04 The Other Black Girl
Films
- 01 The Blackening
- 02 Origin
- 03 Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce
- 04 Stamped from the Beginning
The Art of Hair
with Nikki Nelms
We have a deep appreciation for creativity. And hair. So it only
made sense to partner with hair artist Nikki Nelms to honour Black
History Month. Nikki created three incredible looks and talked to us
about her career — and the unexpected inspiration she finds everywhere.
Nikki is a hair stylist who loves getting creative and working under
pressure. Growing up in a large family, she became experienced with
all types of texture. Hair always came easy to her, but when she
decided to pursue the craft professionally, exceptional things
happened.
On set, Nikki creates an atmosphere that’s fun. She assembled a
talented team made up of friends. Her only request was to play good
music, loud. She loves to make jokes and be playful, but when it
comes to her work, she’s a perfectionist and knows exactly what she
wants.
Nikki on being a self-described Hair MacGyver:
“I was always into how MacGyver could make anything out of whatever
was around. That's how I work. Whatever I have, I make it work.”
Nikki on Black hair as a medium:
“Black hair is everything because you can do anything with it. You
get to see the range just by walking down the street.”
Nikki on finding her path:
“I've always been a hairstylist. I didn't choose it. It kind of chose me.”
Nikki on the threads look:
“I really enjoy the idea of using threads in place of beads. I love simple things that, when done, make you think, wow I wish I would've thought of that.”
Nikki on the braided look:
“This one speaks to my process a little more. I saw someone on the
street and thought they had a hairstyle in that shape, but it was
something they’d wrapped on their head. I thought, that’s a cool
hairstyle, but it wasn't hair. But wait, it still could be.”
Nikki on the polka dot look:
“I’m always picking up random things when I travel. I love dead
stock items, things that are no longer being made. I found these
little polka dot clips months and months ago. I felt like it
worked.”
Nikki on advice to her younger self:
“I would tell younger Nikki to chill out. There’s more to come. One
time I cried so hard because I missed a call to do a Nelly music
video, and I swear it was a scene from the most dramatic movie. I
would tell her, ‘girl, please, there's more.’”
Hair & Creative
Nikki Nelms
Hair Team
C’iara McKim
Ikeyia Powell
Jazmin Henry
Photographer
Adrienne Raquel
Talent
Nyayop Toang
Briana Michelle Smith
Eniola Abioro
Makeup Artist
Jamal Scott
Keita Moore
Cinematographer
Jonathan Patterson
Hair & Creative
Nikki Nelms
Hair Team
C’iara McKim
Ikeyia Powell
Jazmin Henry
Photographer
Adrienne Raquel
Cinematographer
Jonathan Patterson
Talent
Nyayop Toang
Briana Michelle Smith
Eniola Abioro
Makeup Artist
Jamal Scott
Keita Moore